NIGERIA’s preparation for this week’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup Africa play-off against Gabon suffered a major setback on Tuesday after the Super Eagles boycotted their scheduled training session in Rabat, Morocco, in protest over unpaid bonuses.
A senior team official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the development to News Point Nigeria Sports, revealing that both players and sections of the technical crew refused to take part in the evening training session until their outstanding allowances were settled.
“The boys are not happy. They expected the bonuses to be sorted before this camp,” the official said.
The protest has heightened tensions within the camp just 48 hours before the high-stakes qualifier that could determine Nigeria’s path to the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had not released any official statement addressing the standoff.
The Super Eagles camp officially opened in Rabat on Monday, with 23 out of the 24 invited players already present. Only goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is yet to arrive.
According to updates shared on the team’s official X handle, the players currently in camp include:
Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare, Olakunle Olusegun, Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon and William Troost-Ekong.
Others are: Benjamin Fredericks, Chidozie Awaziem, Amas Obasogie, Stanley Nwabali, Semi Ajayi, Ademola Lookman and Akor Adams.
Also in camp are; Chidera Ejuke, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Raphael Onyedika, Zaidu Sanusi, Frank Onyeka and Victor Osimhen.
With the pressure mounting ahead of Thursday’s decisive encounter, sports analyst, Femi Oluwale warns that the dispute could dampen morale and disrupt tactical preparation.
The boycott adds to a long history of financial disputes between the national team players and the federation often surfacing right before major international fixtures.
